Fr. Joe Stefanelli takes part in a procession to venerate the icon at a prayer service in California. Bro. Tom Redmond holds the icon.

At Mystical Rose Oratory in Honolulu, Fr. George Cerniglia blesses the bicentennial icon.

This corner of the Marianist world currently is reveling in a historic opportunity as the Marianist Bicentennial Icon travels across the Province of the United States. It is serving as a focal point for prayer services and gatherings at scores of Marianist communities and ministries.

The icon is a three-panel display that includes original letters penned by Venerable Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon, founder of the Marianist Sisters, and Blessed Fr. William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Society of Mary. In the center of the display is a depiction of the Wedding at Cana by an Italian Marianist.

The icon began its trek in May in Agen, France. It arrived in the United States in November and has made stops in Texas, Hawai’i, California and Missouri so far. It will complete its 21-month pilgrimage in January 2018 in Singhpur, India. Read more about the icon. See more photos.

In San Antonio, the Marianist Bicentennial Icon was displayed with copies of the Rule of Life of the Marianist Sisters and the Society of Mary.

THE DILLONS OF DAYTON: WHOLLY A “MARIANIST FAMILY”

All the members of the Dillon family — Brendan, Kateri, Mary Ellen and Tim — currently are working for Marianist ministries.

“Guess what? Our whole family works for the Marianists this year!” That’s what Mary Ellen Dillon, a lecturer in the biology department at the University of Dayton, has been delighted to tell her friends.

Mary Ellen and her husband, Tim Dillon, met as moderators at a Marianist LIFE retreat in 1987, and for more than 30 years Tim has ministered as a religion teacher at Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School. During these years, they also have been active in Marianist Lay Communities.

So it wasn’t surprising last year when their son, Brendan Dillon, 24, accepted a job in UD’s campus ministry department while working on a graduate degree in theology. And this summer, Kateri Dillon, 22, became a participant in the Marianist PULSE program, where she serves at the Brunner Literacy Center.

Although both Brendan and Kateri attended Chaminade-Julienne, each ventured off to a Jesuit university for college. That time away “informed, but never shifted my strong Marianist identity,” said Kateri. Being away from Marianist spirituality while in college “deepened my appreciation for the charism,” added Brendan.

PLAN NOW TO ATTEND 2017 MARIANIST LAY ASSEMBLY IN DAYTON

Image: “Day Blessing” by G.E. Mullan

Registration is now open for the Marianist Lay Continental Assembly July 13 – 16 at the University of Dayton. The event will be an opportunity to connect with others in the Marianist Family and enjoy a long weekend of faith-building, learning and community. It is specifically designed to be family-friendly and affordable!

The gathering will include nationally recognized speakers such as Sr. Ilia Delio, OSF, and Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS, as well as Marianist Movement promoter Bro. Ray Fitz, former president of the University of Dayton.

Bro. Mike Murphy is the founder of HELP, which works with formerly incarcerated men and women in Cincinnati, helping them make a return to productive society. Bro. Mike was at the Vatican last month as part of a contingent invited to celebrate the “Jubilee for Prisoners” with Pope Francis. Read a news article about the trip.

What was the highlight of your trip to Rome?

Bro. Mike Murphy talks with friends in the HELP neighborhood. Photo by Chris Cone

We collected letters written to Pope Francis from prisoners here in Ohio. A member of our group presented the letters to the Pope in a one on-one meeting with him. We also had special tickets that were right on the aisle at St Peter’s Basilica, so all our members were within five feet of the Pope. It was an experience of a lifetime.

Why is it important to show mercy for the previously incarcerated?

That’s easy. It’s what the Gospel calls us to do. The sentences of incarcerated men and women really begin when they walk out of prison. They experience constant rejection – seldom forgiveness or compassion.

What aspect of your work gives you joy, and what’s particularly challenging?

What gives me joy is seeing people turn their lives around and become successful in employment. These men and women have lots of talent and gifts and, given a chance, those gifts develop quickly. What’s particularly challenging is forgiving not just once or twice, but sometimes 10 or 15 times.

HONORING OUR BICENTENNIALS – A PAGE FROM THE FAMILY ALBUM

To celebrate the bicentennials of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate and the Society of Mary, FamilyOnline is featuring occasional peeks into the past.

This photo was titled vaguely: “St. Louis 1941.” In the background is the Brownhurst building, which was part of the novitiate at the time. The grounds are now part of St. John Vianney High School.

Fr. Joe Uvietta, a former provincial of the St. Louis Province, says that perhaps the photo was taken to signify the move of the Marianist novitiate from St. Louis to Galesville, Wisconsin, which took place that year. The priest at left is likely Fr. Peter Resch, who was novice master at the time and later served as provincial of the St. Louis Province.

WHO'S DOING WHAT AROUND THE PROVINCE

Novice Sung Hyuck Joo Choi has been approved by the Marianist Region of Korea to profess first vows in the Society of Mary. Soon-to-be-professed Brother Joo joined the Novitiate Community in Dayton in 2014, first spending several months learning English. He officially began his novitiate in February 2015. His profession ceremony will be in Seoul on Chaminade Day, Jan. 22, 2017.

Fr. Jim Heft was the homilist at the Red Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles last month. The annual event is for area lawyers and judges. In addition, the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies, of which Fr. Jim is president, recently collaborated in bringing to the University of Southern California three scholars — a Jew, a Christian and a Muslim — to address issues of faith, race and violence. Learn more.

Sr. Laura Leming recently had an article published in Integritas, Boston College’s journal on Catholic higher education. The article is titled, “Negotiating a Culture of Encounter and Disruptive Discourse in Catholic Higher Education.” Read the article.

George Lisjak has been named the new director of the North American Center for Marianist Studies. For the past 11 years, he has served as director of Marianist Educational Studies and Partnerships as part of the Office of Sponsorship. George taught at North Catholic High School for nearly 20 years before serving as its principal from 1996 – 2003. He began his new role on Dec. 5.

Fr. Marty Solma was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in Cleveland on Dec. 1. He is an alumnus of one of VASJ’s predecessor schools, St. Joseph High. Fr. Marty currently serves as provincial of the Marianist Province of the United States.

Bro. Jim Vorndran recently was featured in the Mercury News (San Jose, California) in an article describing how he is assisting blind people in using the latest technology. A longtime teacher, Bro. Jim lost his own eyesight to macular degeneration. Read the article.

His majesty Bro. Ron Luksic with young friends at Corryville Catholic.

Bro. Ron Luksic recently was crowned king for a day at Corryville Catholic Elementary School. More than two decades ago, Bro. Ron initiated a relationship between Archbishop Moeller High School and this Cincinnati grade school.

He created a number of programs that connect Corryville students with nearly 150 Moeller students each year. Bro. Ron continues to serve at Corryville as a member of its board.

The Marianist Family was well represented at the Archdiocese of San Antonio Assembly in November. Among those greeting visitors at the Marianist booth were Bros. Ed Longbottom, Al Kuntemeier and Ralph Neumann, Mona Mengler, wife of St. Mary’s President Tom Mengler; and Bros. Louis Ernst and Esteban Reyes Durán.

FROM OUR SPONSORED MINISTRIES

CHAMINADE ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT

Chaminade University of Honolulu announces that Dr. Lynn M. Babington will become its new president, effective Aug. 1. Lynn currently serves as provost and vice president of academic affairs of Fairfield University in Connecticut.

“I am honored and humbled to be chosen as the new president for Chaminade University at such a pivotal time,” she said. “I am deeply inspired by its heritage, holistic learning approach and dedication to the community. I look forward to working with the University’s outstanding faculty and staff to help fully realize its mission.”

She succeeds Bro. Bernard Ploeger, who has been Chaminade’s president since 2009. Read more.

FAITH AND LEADERSHIP FOR THE WIN AT PURCELL MARIAN

All athletes at Purcell Marian are taking part in the SportsLeader program this fall.

Purcell Marian High School in Cincinnati has received enthusiastic support from parents and coaches after launching SportsLeader, a faith formation and leadership program for all student athletes.

SportsLeader has four pillars: virtues, mentoring, ceremony and Catholic identity. For example, each week coaches are assigned a virtue, such as “trust,” along with videos to help students talk about the topic. It also helps coaches with mentoring, creating ceremonies and designing faith-based retreats.

During a SportsLeader ceremony called “Letters to Mom,” students poured out their hearts in thank-you notes. Megan Schultheis whose son, Sam, is a soccer player, was deeply touched. “It is nice to see that kids understand the sacrifices parents make,” she said. (See a brief video here.)

“We’re excited to bring SportsLeader to all of our student athletes,” said Veronica Murphy, principal, noting that PM is the first school to fully integrate the program. “This is a holistic approach to character development and mirrors our goals in Marianist education.”

Fr. Ralph Siefert with Aba Kumi, director of National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, and Phil Rone and Todd Guidry at the awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., in November.

Fr. Ralph Siefert, Chaminade’s president, was joined by Todd Guidry, middle school principal, and Phil Rone, high school principal, in accepting the award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

According to the Department of Education, National Blue Ribbon Schools are “on education’s cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices from professional learning communities and project-based learning to social and emotional learning and positive behavior systems.” Chaminade is one of 279 public schools and 50 private schools receiving the honor this year.

PRAYERS FOR OUR FAMILY MEMBERS

WE ASK FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Sr. Audrey Buttner died Nov. 28. Sr. Audrey was 80 and had been a Marianist sister for 61 years. Sr. Audrey engaged in service ministry throughout her years as a Marianist sister. She was a cook and beekeeper at Our Lady of the Pillar Retreat Center in San Antonio, and worked in campus ministry at the University of Dayton. Read her obituary.

Fr. Joseph Tedesco, died Dec. 2. Fr. Joe was 64 and had been a Marianist for 40 years. He was a much-loved teacher and counselor who ministered at high schools including Archbishop Moeller, Chaminade Julienne and Villa Angela-St. Joseph. His obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline. See more photos.

Bro. Robert Wood, died Dec. 6. Bro. Bob was 89 and had been a Marianist for 71 years. In his distinguished career, he taught in Canada, Japan, Peru and Mexico, and was an archivist at St. Mary’s University for more than 20 years. He served in Rome as secretary general of the Society of Mary in the late 1980s. His obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline. See more photos.

“No doubt, faith must be animated by charity. Faith should not only be a light in the mind, but it should be in the heart as well.

There must be in faith a disposition of the heart; love of truth. This is why you must savor what you believe.”

RESOURCES

Printable version of FamilyOnlinePlease note that, because of the inherent differences between print and online media, the PDF version of the newsletter is not a perfect reproduction of the online version.

FOR FRIENDS OF THE MARIANISTS: PILGRIMAGE TO SPAIN, FRANCE!

The Marianist Mission is sponsoring an 11-day pilgrimage in celebration of the Marianist bicentennial.

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, Spain, the site where Fr. Chaminade conceived of creating faith communities dedicated to the Blessed Mother.

Fr. Tim Kenney will lead the excursion to Spain and France that runs April 22 – May 2, 2017. It includes the spectacular sites of Madrid, Avila, Zaragoza, Lourdes, Bordeaux and Paris.

Travelers will walk in the footsteps of St. Teresa of Avila, St. Bernadette and Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Marianist Family.

The pilgrimage includes daily Mass and a special emphasis on the Catholic history of the sites, while also enjoying medieval mansions, royal palaces, fantastic art and memorable food and wine. The trip is arranged by Far Horizons travel. Learn more.

TECABOCA SEEKS TEAM FOR OUTDOOR MINISTRY PROGRAMS

Tecaboca, a Marianist-sponsored retreat center and youth summer camp in Mountain Home, Texas, seeks young adults to work in its outdoor ministry and education programs for school-age children. The staffers will live and work in an intentional community and receive housing, meals and a stipend. Learn more.

GRADUATE ASSISTANT OPENINGS IN CAMPUS MINISTRY AT UD

The University of Dayton is seeking faith-filled applicants to work in campus ministry while pursuing master’s degrees in theology or pastoral ministry. The GAs work 20 hours per week in pastoral and spiritual ministry. There are five openings for the 2017 – 2018 school year. Tuition, lodging and a stipend are provided. Learn more.

READ IT NOW: FALL/WINTER ALIVE MAGAZINE

The fall/winter issue of ALIVE magazine is now available!

It offers lively stories about Marianist events and perspectives. Look for your copy in the mail, or read the issue here.